A Year And A Day ??

[MrsJimmyPage]

Well, it seems as though I have studied longer than that. I know most people don't take the "year and a day" thing seriously, but I am curious about something:

How long have some of you practiced before you felt a definite relationship with the Goddess / God ?? I have studied many realms, and then I refined my search when I thought I was being too broad in my learning. I have yet to feel the spiritual connection, yet I know this is my calling because I relate so well to the priciples. My main problem seems to be that deep meditation. I have been able to rid pain when it befalls me or another; I have brought luck to some; but I have never felt as though anyone else were present but me.

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated. Brightest Blessings to you.

MrsJimmyPage

[Raevyn]

I think I felt a relationship with the God/dess at the outset; the fact that there was a Lord & Lady was one of the major reasons for my choosing to become Wiccan. I chose to work with one in particular and she came to me quietly in meditation and in the back of my mind in my thoughts rarely in the year + I worked with her. She was always *there* and I knew she was, but there wasn't a significant point where I could say "yes that was her".

I'd been studying and practicing some forms of Paganism for about 4 or 5 years when one (Isis) literally spoke to me late at night. Then Sekhmet would show up in meditation and in ritual, and I could say "there that's my deity communicating with me". And even then, I don't think the time was even important, except I needed to hear Isis and Sekhmet then.

I think it's less about time, and more about need. As you said, you still know this is the right path for you, so I'm sure it's true!

[MrsJimmyPage]

Thank you for your prompt response. I know "something/someone" is there. How could there not be with such beauty around me and within me just dying to find release ? I suspected that it must come from within...those are the hardest lessons, aren't they ?? LOL

I'll be here as much as possible and I know I'll learn a lot from all of you. But, now, I venture home from work. Until next time, Brightest Blessings to you !!

MrsJimmyPage

[Raevyn]

Here's something else to think about - this is just *my* opinion, but I think of God and Goddess as energy. To me each of them are an archetype for all the masculine and feminine energy in the universe respectively. When I speak to Goddess I think of all the feminine energy throughout the universe, and when I call her by name (say, Isis), I think of that name as part of her feminine energy with Isis' own personality in there. It's like all Gods are part of the bigger Goddess, but they're each their own too. I also think of All, or the ultimate deity, whatever you want to call it, as life energy.

My point is, we're all living. We all have that energy inside us. So we're all part of God and Goddess. *We* have the Goddess (and God) within us, and we're Goddesses too. We're one face of the Lady and All, and she is about and around and within us.

Just something for you to think about.

I also wanted to say welcome to our forum. We're glad to have you with us and you are always welcome to ask any question you have. May peace be with you :)

[MrsJimmyPage]

Many thanks, Raevyn, for your thoughtful insights. I have come to the same conclusions myself. I suspect that my lack of focus has something to do with *me*....I'll get the hang of it, I'm sure, with practice.

An interesting thing happened to me about 3 weeks ago though. I had a group of friends staying at my house for a few days...well, I had too much to drink one night (which is quite rare, as I hate the "out of control" feeling) Well, I believe in the healing power of water when it comes to banishing negativity. So, I decided to draw a bath. I was sitting there, contemplating, and looked down at my left shin. On my leg was the runic symbol of water !! It just appeared there, red in colour, like a scratch, but the skin was not disturbed in that manner. All of a sudden, I began to have many thoughts at once...how I should change my diet, change my consumption of what I used to consider a ritual drink, but was currently drinking socially...etc. Well, I let the tub drain completely before I got out...to drain my negativity of course. I then recorded everything in my Book Of Shadows. I looked down again and the mark was still there. It remained for several hours...my boyfriend saw it. (I needed a witness)...Very interesting indeed.

Brightest Blessings to you
MrsJimmyPage

[Raevyn]

That is quite interesting :) And true too, our spirits are linked to our bodies, so if we don't take care of our bodies and aren't healthy physically and emotionally it's hard to work in a spiritual way - say if your stomach is grumbling you can't really meditate well.

[MrsJimmyPage]

I agree, though I have noticed that I can "coax" pain away. I have had anxiety attacks, and stress-related pain for many years, and recently, I decided to try petitioning the Goddess for help in that realm. A simple chant sufficed when it hit me in the car..."Goddess take the pain away"...as I imagine her glowing blue hand gently massaging my stomach. Whether it worked, or perhaps my chant was so distracting that I no longer paid attention to the pain, mattered not to me. What mattered was that it was effective. In my home, however, I have devised a more elaborate ritual for ridding the body of pain. I constructed one for a friend who is prone to kidney stones. To my knowledge, she has not had one since....in fairness though, it has only been a few months. Animal healing interests me as well, as I have 4 cats, one of which is getting into his Golden Years and is morbidly obese. He's my little man, though, and treats everyone except me with general disdain and the occasional scratch. Alas, I am rambling. I thank you for your conversations.

MrsJimmyPage